by Ali House
Although Akola still thought that the plan had been reckless, she was able to admire what Kendra had achieved. She’d managed to ruin the Six-Elemental’s reputation throughout the entire Segment. Nobody would ever think of her as a hero again – she would merely be a flawed Elemental who had outlived her usefulness. Akola wondered if it had always been a part of the plan to cause Kit to leave the Segment or if it was a welcome side-effect. Whatever the case, it was a spectacular effort – one that would have made Kendra’s biological father proud.
Akola had always hoped that Kendra would pick up where Magnus had left off, to lead the people of Tecken with that same drive and determination that he’d had. Although Kendra was currently forging her own path, Akola couldn’t help wondering if it would be better than anything Pitor and she could have imagined. Maybe this time an Erikson would finally succeed.
Although she hadn’t been around for most of Kendra’s life, it was amazing to watch her living up to her true potential. Akola couldn’t help feeling a wash of pride as her biological daughter stepped into the shoes of her father, proving herself to be a true Erikson.
Chapter 38
As Kit watched Segment Delta grow more distant, she finally felt the full sense of what she’d lost. Never again would she set foot on these islands. She had no idea what life on the Centre would be like, but hopefully she would be able to make it her home. She’d done it before – after her father’s death, when Briton became a jail, she’d made Stanton her home. Her only hope was that she wouldn’t mess up again, because eventually she’d run out of places to live.
One small comfort was the picture that Vaughn had brought. When he’d arrived at the dock with his bag packed, he had also been carrying the picture of the streetlamp that she’d admired at the gallery opening. The exhibit had closed a few days ago, so its arrival was just in time. Looking at the picture reminded her of how perfect that night had been, and how even though she was in darkness right now, there was still light.
Vaughn was currently below deck, lying down in one of the cabins. Things were still strained between then, so she was spending most of her time on deck, watching the water. It had been difficult getting used to the boat and the motion of the waves, and within the first thirty minutes she almost asked them to take her back, but eventually she adapted. This trip would last at least half a day, depending on the weather, which would hopefully be favourable. If the motor broke down, she’d gladly offer to push the boat with her powers. Maybe she should have offered anyway.
Truthfully, this was long overdue. She should have left the Segment years ago, after she’d finished cleaning up the mess that she was responsible for, but instead she’d been selfish. All she’d ever wanted was to be normal, but the truth was that she was anything but, and it was unfair for her to expect anyone else to think that she was. She’d resented the Followers of Six for thinking she was a god, when their religion had been around a lot longer than she had. She’d resented anyone who glared at her or said hateful things because it reminded her of all the terrible things she’d done and made her wonder if her actions had truly helped anyone.
She’d been living with these regrets and fears for so long, but had been too scared to do anything about it. Instead of accepting that her life had changed and she should change with it, she’d ignored all the signs. But ignoring problems didn’t solve them. Problems didn’t come with expiry dates.
It would have been better if she hadn’t ruined her entire reputation beforehand, but maybe that was her punishment for not going away sooner.
Her life would never be normal. The best she could hope for was some kind of peace.
Epilogue
“Apparently Stanton is now Six-Elemental-free.”
Kendra looked over to see Skye standing in the bedroom doorway, holding a newspaper. “Apparently?” she said, turning back to the mirror and giving her outfit one final glance.
Skye smirked and rolled her eyes. “You’d know more than I would, ISS employee.” She stepped into the room and handed Kendra the Stanton News, pointing at the article she’d just read.
Quickly glancing over the article, Kendra read how the reporter had watched Kit Tyler get on a boat with her partner and Dominika Haskell yesterday, heading off to parts unknown. They speculated that Tyler was heading to The Centre, but acknowledged that she could be heading to any other Segment. The reporter had contacted the ISS for further comment on the matter, but the ISS was staying silent.
“Think you’ll be able to get the story at work today?” Skye asked.
“I’m still not able to get a straight answer to whether or not she went crazy, but if I hear anything, I’ll let you know,” she smiled.
“You’re the best spy ever,” Skye said, wrapping her arms around Kendra. “Well, maybe not ever, but at least you try.”
Kendra couldn’t help laughing. “Thank you for the confidence boost.” She gave Skye a quick kiss. “Are we still on for the movie tonight?”
“Only if you don’t have some juicy gossip to discuss.”
She laughed again. “I’ll see you after work. Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Skye’s apartment wasn’t as close to the ISS building as Kendra’s was, but Kendra didn’t mind the longer walk to work – especially today. Pitor had already informed her that Tyler was no longer in Segment Delta, but the news report was just the confirmation she needed. The report showed no sadness or regret about Tyler’s leaving, or any attempt to hide or discredit the rumours that had been swirling around the past couple of weeks.
Kendra couldn’t help smiling. It was beneficial for a leader to eliminate every threat in her way instead of hoping that they wouldn’t affect her, and she had done just that with the Six-Elemental. Not only had she ruined Tyler’s reputation, but Tyler would have to think long and hard before showing her face in Segment Delta again.
Her thoughts turned to the Briton Investigation, and how well it was coming along. Their plan was to place a few obvious plants within the police, along with a number of spies who would be able to infiltrate the Humanists and get to the truth. It was only a matter of time before they had enough people in place to see what was really going on in Briton.
Once the truth about the Humanists’ deception came out, it’d be easier for her to achieve her true goal – creating a united governing body over the entire Segment. After all, how could they continue to maintain peace and avoid another war if each island was busy obeying its own rules? Each Leader needed to be held accountable to the others, and it’d be easier to do that if there was one person overseeing everyone.
There was still a long way to go, but she’d get there eventually. Pitor might have wanted her to become Kendra Erikson, the Fifth Queen of Tecken, but she had other plans. Bigger plans. If all went well, one day, she would be the First Queen of Segment Delta.
It was only a matter of time.
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Author Bio
Alison House is an Award-Winning, Bestselling author, a playwright, a traveler, and a reader. A native Newfoundlander, House is a graduate
of the Fine Arts program at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College (MUN). She currently resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she works in arts administration and spends more time than a person should in and around theaters.
House won the December 2018 Kit Sora Prize, which celebrates authors throughout Canada. Her short fiction has appeared in every issue of the From the Rock anthology series, as well as Bluenose Paradox and the Kit Sora Artobiography.
The Fifth Queen is her second novel.
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